Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Hi! I've decided to start a new series of posts. They will feature my clients (with their permission) and their custom orders. I've met some amazing people over the last couple of years and have been commissioned to do some really neat pieces of jewelry for these people. I think it will be fun to share with you! Short sweet posts about really cool designs ideas and inspirations. Hope you enjoy!

Meet Lane - I know her as momma extraordinaire to Super Tuck and the writer of supertucksmama.com. Lane found me on Instagram via a friend and emailed me about a necklace that she wanted.After a few emails I came up with this design for her. I really enjoy following Lane on Instagram (@supertucksmama) and on her blog. Go check her out!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

I just got a chance to browse the 2013 Pantone color forecast for Spring. I was a little surprised by the colors... But I think they are all very beautiful. I guess I was surprised because they seem a little "muted" versus the past years. The colors that excite and inspire me the most are: "Monaco Blue", "Sunflower", "Vibrant Orange", and "Emerald". I leave for my annual materials buying trip in exactly 3 weeks and I will be using these colors as inspiration. I am so excited to see what new stones and other materials I can get my hands on. 5 days of shopping in the Arizona sun... I hope... one year the weather was awful- record lows and freezing pipes! But, most years the weather is amazing and sunny. Are you a little surprised by this color palette for Spring 2013? Tell me why.

Monday, January 7, 2013

It has been so long since I posted and I am so sorry for that.
Christmas sales took over my life! It was a lot of fun but a lot of hard work and long hours.
I ended up picking up 6 new wholesale accounts over about a 4 month period of time. No complaints but it kept me very busy. I also participated in some of the most amazing shows I've ever done! The Northwest Arkansas Boutique show and The Little Craft Show proved to be very successful for my little biz this year. I couldn't be more pleased because I love supporting both of these local Arkansas shows. I also had the opportunity to participate in my first "Pop Up" shop, curated by Allison Barta Bailey (Shopcrawlr), at the Myriad Botanical Gardens in downtown OKC. This was a lot of fun and sales were nice too. The days were somewhat challenging b/c I was working on so many custom orders that I was getting up at 4:30 a.m. to get them completed, going to the shops from 11-8 and getting home around 9 and going straight to bed. But, all in all I really enjoyed the experience. I loved going to work downtown everyday and being in such a beautiful location was great too!

After all the shows were over I took about 8 days off to go home for Christmas. It was really nice to visit family and friends in Arkansas and Texas. It's been hard to get back into the groove after being away for so long. But, I am finding it, slowly but surely. I thought things would slow down business wise for a bit - because that is how all of my January's have been... but not this one. I've been presented with a few interesting opportunities and I am hoping they pan out. I'll share details if everything goes as planned.
Then there are taxes... which we all deal with. It seems like it is never ending... I think if I could just devote one day to this, I could tackle it... but, I've been getting orders and have to stay on top of thsoe too! Yay! No complaints at all, just surprised.

This weekend takes me to Little Rock to look at a few spaces that might be appropriate for Bella Vita. I want to jump into a store front but I am leaning towards renting a small artists studio to start things off. Going that route seems a little less stressful - personally and financially. I get really overwhelmed when I think about moving myself/matt/stuff/dog and my business all at the same time. But we have about 6 -8 months to get things sorted. I can't believe our time in Oklahoma is almost up. It's SO bittersweet. I've really enjoyed the past year here and will truly miss this place. Wow, I said it!!! :) If you know me at all, you know how bad I have been longing to get back to Arkansas! I miss my family and friends and that has been the hardest thing about living 5 hours from all of that.

I hope you all had a fantastic Holiday season and an even more fantastic new year. I'd love to hear some of your goals/ambitions/fresh starts. I have many of my own... mainly to start exercising (which I have, boot camp classes baby! ouch!), eating better (less processed foods, don't eat out so much, etc.), and taking a little bit more time off for myself. )

Other items of note that I am working on for Bella Vita for 2013...
I am going through a re-branding of my business! I am very excited to be working with Braid Creative out of OKC. And, I can't wait to reveal what we come up with for BV.
I will also be working on my blog content, I want to add more informative posts and maybe a new look. So, I hope you stick with me because I think that 2013 will be very exciting and I am determined to get back on track with a weekly/bi weekly post. I'd love to hear any suggestions for posts and what you want to see more of... I am always up for new ideas.